Knock-down display support



` April 26,1960 J, H, MoGULEsC-U ErAL Filed Sept. 26, 1957 KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY SUPPORT 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENToRs 7 IRv/N L. Coo/vs dck H. Mael/ws cu BYd/Mfbw ATTORNEY April 26, 1960 J. H. Mo'GULEscu ETAL 2,934,214

Knock-'Down DISPLAY suPoR'r Filed Sept. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY iinited States Patent` O KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY SUPPORT Jack H. Mogulescu and Irvin L. Kons, New York, N.Y., assignors to Consolidated Cigar Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application September 26, 1957, Serial No. 686,372

6 Claims. (Cl. 211-126) The present invention relates generally to improvements in receptacles and display devices, and it`relates more particularly to an improved collapsible tray unit which may be assembled with one or more similarly constructed units into any desired stacked, end-to-end and angulated relationship to provide a display device which may be readily modiied or disassembled for storage or transportation purposes.

There have been employed and proposed trays which may be separably stacked one upon the otheraffording access to the individual trays, and many types of collapsible receptacles. However, these receptacles and trays are of very limited application andpossess numerous drawbacks and disadvantages. The collapsible receptacles are generally constructed to form a single container of a specific coniiguration, whereas the stackable trays are not individually of a collapsible nature and may be stacked in only o'ne manner. lt is thus apparent that collapsible receptacles and stackable trays heretofore available are of very limited versatility and ilexibility. More-y over, they are usually complex and expensive and leave much to be desired.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved display device.

' Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tray unit which may be simply and easily assembled with one or more similarly constructed units to form a display device o'f any desired arrangement.

A further object of the .present invention is to provide an improved tray unit of simple and rugged construction which may be arranged in stacked assembly and in endto-end linear or angular assembled relationship, permit-V ting the fabrication of display devices of various co'ngurations which may be readily disassembled to facilitate the transportation and storage thereof.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon the reading of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying.

drawings, wherein Figure l is a front perspective view of an improved multi-tier display rack embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tray assembly unit, some of the repetitive parts being omittedtfor broken away for convenience of illustration, of a corner` assembly of the improved rack; v

Figure 6 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of the rear wall of the tray unit, adjacent units being shown in broken line;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the front wall of 2,934,214 Patented Apr. 26, 1960 the tray unit, walls of the adjacent units being shown in broken line;

Figure 8 is a top plan diagrammatic View of another embodiment of the present invention, in which the tray units are assembled in end-to-end linear relationship; and

Figure 9 is a top plan diagrammatic view of still another embodiment of the present invention,`in which the tray units are -arranged in end-to-end angular relationship.

In a sense, the present invention contemplates the provision of an improved tray unit of collapsible form which may be assembled with one or more similarly constructed units into' various arrays, either vertically stacked or in end-to-end linear or angular relationship or any desired combination thereof, the unit comprising a base plate, a rear wall projecting upwardly from said'base plate and having opposite parallel end edges and vertically spaced interlock elements disposed along said end edges and being relatively staggered along said opposite edges.

In accordance with the preferred form of the tray unit, the rear wall is hinged to the base plate along the lower edge of said rear wall and there is also provided a front wall hinged to the front edge of the base plate along a line between the upper and lower edges of the front wall. The. front wall is likewise provided, along its opposite edges, with staggered vertically spaced interlock elements. There are also provided side walls having front and rear edges provided with interlock elements which interit with or interdigitate the locking elements disposed along the corresponding edges of the front and rear walls. The interlock elements are of substantially tubular shape and in vertical alignment with each other alo'ng the respective edges and are formed integral with the corresponding walls.

The unit is maintained in assembled condition by latch rods which extend through the aligned interlock elements. The latch rods may be of various heights and provided with means to couple additional rods in end-to-end relationship so that additional trays may be stacked in vertically spaced relationship. The tray units may be assembled in linear end-to-end relationship by interitting the rear walls and front walls of the adjacent trays and passing the latch rods through the corresponding aligned interlock elements. An angular end-to-end disposition of the trays may be effected by interiitting either the front or rear adjacent vertical edges of the trays and' separating the opposite edges. The front'and rear walls have transversely aligned laterally spaced slots formed therein and there are provided vertical partition plates which may be brought into separable engagement with the aforesaid slots.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures l through 7 thereof, the numeral 10 generally designates an improved collapsible tray unit in accordance with the present invention, the unit 10 including a base plate 11, a rear wall 12 and a front wall 13. The base plate 11 is in the form of a wire grid, including front and rear longitudinal rods 14 which are interconnected by laterally spaced transversely extending cross rods.

The rear wall 12 is of substantially rectangular coniiguration extending shortly beyond the end edges of the base plate 11 and is slotted and rolled inwardly along its lower edge to form along the length thereof a plurality of longitudinally spaced hook or tubular members 16. The tubular members 16 engage the longitudinal rod 14 to eifect a hinged connection between the lower edge the base plate 11.

VLocated along the opposite end edges l? and ls. rev.;

spectively of the rear wall 12 are vertically spaced interlock elements 19 and 20 respectively, deined by hook or tubular shaped sections formed integrally with the wall 12. The spacing between successive interlock elements 19 and 20 is slightly less or approximately equal to the height of the individual interlock elements. It is important to note that the lock elements 19 and 20 along the opposite edges 17 and 18 are vertically staggered relative to each other, thereby permitting the intertting in end-to-end relationship of adjacent walls of successive tray units whereby the interlock elements 19 and 20 of the contiguous elements intert in interdigitating relationship. A plurality of vertical slots 21 are formed along the upper edge of the wall 12 and a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical slots 22 in vertical alignment with the slots 21 are formed in the wall 12 along an area between the upper and lower edges thereof, the purpose of the slots 21 and 22 being hereinafter set forth.

The front wall 13 extends along the forward edge of the base plate 11 and is hinged to the front longitudinal rod 14 by means of transversely spaced tubular members 23 engaging the base plate forward rod 14, the tubular members being disposed along a line intermediate the upper and lower edges of the front wall 13. Located along the opposite end edges 24 and 26 of the front wall 13 are vertically spaced interlock elements 27 and 28 respectively, shaped and formed in a manner similar to the interlock elements 18 and 19 and being staggered relative to each other along the opposite edges 24 and 26 respectively. A plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical slots 29 are formed along the upper edge of the front wall 13 in transverse alignment with corresponding slots 22 formed in the rear Wall 12 and at a slightly higher elevation. It should be noted that the height of the front wall 13 in the present embodiment is less than the height of the rear wall 12. n

In order to complete the tray as an individual unit, there are provided left and right side walls 32 and 33 respectively, each of which is provided with rear vertical edges 34 and a shorter front vertical edge 3S, the upper ends of the edges 34 and 35 being connected by a forwardly downwardly inclined upper edge 36 and the lower ends thereof being connected by a` horizontal lower edge. The left side wall rear edge 34 carries vertically spaced interlock elements 37 which interfit and interdigitate with the interlock elements 19, so that the corresponding contiguous side wall and rear wall edges are coextensive, and the left front edge 35 carries vertically spaced interlock elements 3S which intert with the interlock elements 28 so that the contiguous edges of the front wall 13 and the left side wall 32 are coextensive. Similarly, the rear and front edges of the right side plate 33 are provided with vertically spaced interlock elements 39 and 40 respectively, which intert with corresponding interlock elements 20 and 24 so that the edges of the rear wall 12 and the front wall 13, which are contiguous with the edges of the right side wall 33, are also mutually coextensive.

In order to efect the assembly and erection of a tray structure, either individually or in various arrangements as aforesaid, there are provided a plurality of latch rods 41 and 42 of various lengths. Each of the latch rods 41 and 42 includes a shank 43 threaded at its upper end as at 44 and carrying at its lower end an enlarged head 46 formed integral with the shank 43 and provided with a tapped axial bore 47 matching the threaded portion 44. There are also provided cap members 48 having a tapped bore 49 adapted to engage the threaded portions 44 of the shanks 43.

In order to separate the individual trays into compartments, there are provided removable partitions 50 having rear edges `51 approximately the height of the rear wall 12, front edges 52 lapprox-innitely the height of the front wall '13 above the hinge point thereof, a bottom horizontal edge and an upper forwardly downwardly inclined edge. Projecting rearwardly from the partitioned rear edge 51 are a pair of vertically spaced coupling lugs 53 located at the upper corner and at an intermediate point along the rear edge 51 corresponding to the rear wall slots 17 and 22. The lugs 53 are provided with depending tongues 54 spaced rearwardly of the rear edge 51 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the rear wall 12. A forwardly projecting coupling lug 56 is carried on the upper part of the partition front elge 52 and likewise includes a depending tongue 57 spaced from the front edge 52 a distance slightly greater than the front wall 13.

In assembling a pair of the tray units into a double tier stack, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the draw-ings, the rear and front walls 12 and 13 `are swung into upright position and the left and right side walls 32 and 33 are -bronght into registry with ythe end edges of the front and rear walls so that the interlock elements 37 and 38 vinterdigitate with the interlock elements 19 and 28 and lthe interlock elements 39 and 40 interdigitate lwit-h the interlock elements 20 and 24. Thereafter, latch rods 41 are passed through each set of interlitted nterlock elements along the four corners of the assembled tray, the shoulders atop 1the enlarged portions 46 abutting the respective lowermost interlock elements. Thereafter, a pair of latch rods 41 are coupled in end-to-end relationship to ythe rear pair latch rods 41 and a pair of short latch rods 42 are coupled in end-to-end relationship to the forward pair of latch rods 41, the coupling being elected by engagement between corresponding threaded ends and ytapped bores of the respective latch rods.

A second tray unit, including left and `right side walls, is assembled in the manner of the first tray unit and located so that the interltted interlock elements engage the upper latch rods 41 and 42. The forward upper latch rods 42 are terminated by the tapped caps 48 and a legend-carrying sign 58 provided with tubular edges is brought into engagement with the upper rear latch rods 41. The upper ends of the upper latch rods 41v are terminated by caps 48. The individual trays of the stack may be separa-ted into side-by-side compartments lby the partitions 50, the lugs 53 thereof engaging respective pair of slots 21 and 22 and the forward lug member 56 engaging` avfront slot 29, the lower edges of the slots registering respectively with the space between the lug tongues 54 and the partition rear edge 51 and the lug tongues 57 and the partition forward edge 52.

In assembled condition, the base plates 11 assume a forwardly upwardly inclined pos-ition so that articles of merchandise M may be arranged in inclined face-to-face relationship as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. It is apparent that any number of trays may be arranged in multi-tier stack relationship commensurate with the strength of the supporting members and the stability of the structure, and that an individual tray may be asserrrbled as a single unit. Furthermore, the assembly procedure may be modified as desired and the structure may be simply disassembled to permit the ready storage and transportation thereof.

Referring now to Figure 8 of the drawing, there` is illustrated a plurality of tray units arranged in endtoend linear relationship. In effecting the assembly of Figure 8, the interlock elements 19 and 20 of the contiguous rear walls of the adjacent end-to-end tray units and the interlock elements 27 and 28 of the contiguous edges of front walls 13 of vthe adjacent end-to-end tray units are brought into intertted relationship and the latch rods 41 and 42 are passed into registry with the interiitting interlock elements 19 and 20 and 27 and 28. End

walls 32 and 33 are fitted to the free ends of the trayV an end-to-end relationship. The partitions 33 may theni be inserted 'as desired. It should be noted that in addition s to being arranged end-to-end, the trays may be stacked in a multi-tier fashion.

In the structure illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings, the trays are `arranged in an langular end-toend relationship. The interlock elements 27 and 28 are interiitted and secured by a latch rod 41 or 42, the rear corners of the adjacent trays being separated to eeot horizontal angular relationship between the trays. End plates 32 and 33 are applied to the free ends of the trays, the interlock elements of the contiguous edges of the various walls being intertted and the respective latch rods 41 and 42 brought into registry therewith. Latch rods are also passed through the interlock elements 19 and 20 which are separated one from the other. Partitions 50 are inserted in the trays adjacent their confronting ends as well as in other desired locations. Here again, each of the angulated sections may be multi-tiered. It is obvious that whereas the forward corners of the angulated end-toend arrangement of trays are illustrated in Figure 9 as intertted, these may be separated and the rear corners intertted.

While there has been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is yapparent that numerous alterations and omissions may be made without departing from -the spirit thereof.

We claim:

l. An improved tray unit comprising a base plate, a rear wall projecting upwardly from said base plate and having opposite parallel end edges and vertically spaced axially aligned substantially tubular interlock elements disposed along said end edges and being relatively staggered along said opposite edges, and vertical latching rods registering with said aligned interlock elements and extending above and below the upper and lower edges of said rear wall.

2. An improved tray unit in accordance with claim 1, including an upright front wall located along the forward edge of said base plate and having opposite parallel end edges and interlock elements disposed along said front wall end edges and being relatively staggered along said front wall opposite end edges, and vertical rods registering with said front wall aligned interlock elements and extending above and below the interlock elements and the upper and lower edges of said front Wall.

3. An improved tray unit in accordance with claim 2, including a side wall disposed along a side edge of each base plate and having a forward and a rear edge, axially aligned substantially tubular interlock elements disposed along said rear edge and interdigitating the interlock members along a corresponding edge of said rear wall, and axially aligned substantially tubular interlock elements along said forward edge interdigitating the interlock elements along the corresponding edge of said front wall said rods registering with said side Wall interlock elements.

4. An improved tray unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein said base plate is forwardly upwardly inclined and is hinged to the front wall between the upper and lower edges thereof.

5. An improved display device comprising a plurality of vertically spaced parallel tray units, each tray unit including a base plate and front and rear vupright walls having vertically aligned tubular interlock elements along opposite end edges thereof and separable side walls having front and rear edges provided with tubular interlock elements in vertical alignment with the corresponding interlock elements carried by said front and rear walls, latch rods extending above and below the upper and lower edges respectively of the front and rear upright walls, said rods registering with the vertically aligned interlock elements, and means located along said latch rods for supporting said tray units in vertically spaced positions.

6. An improved display device in accordance with claim 5, wherein each of said latch rods is defined by a plurality of separably coupled rods arranged in end-toend relationship.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 893,786 Collis July 21, 1908 1,198,524 Cumliffe Sept. 19, 1916 1,312,403 Kenyon Aug. 5, 1919 1,477,634 Connor Dec. 18, 1923 1,809,523 McLean June 9, 1931 2,239,483 Cocks Apr. 22, 1941 2,257,536 Roycroft Sept. 30, 1941 2,529,649 Coplen Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 765,986 Great Britain Jan. 16, 1957 

